A Light for Men - Monastic Principles for Everyone

Many of the laity may wonder how to make the principles of monastic life their own. The Christian life and struggle of laymen and monastics are lived out differently, but their essence is the same: the Person and work of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. His incarnation, passion, and resurrection were for every single person. The Christ-like life of keeping the commandments of love for God and love for others is equally open to all. Yet, the monastic manner of life has a particular way of fostering it. How can the principles of monastic life be lived outside the monastery? Monastic life hinges upon four main pillars: purity, non-possessiveness, obedience, and stability. These have corollaries in both the single and married life of laymen as well.

A monk lives out purity through celibacy. A single layman, also. A married layman, through faithfulness to one spouse. A monk lives out non-possessiveness by limiting himself to necessary possessions and holding all things in common with his monastic community. A layman, through almsgiving, tithing, and sharing his possessions—the married layman, most immediately sharing with his spouse and children. A monk lives out obedience through humility before and service to his abbot, spiritual father, brothers, and the monastery pilgrims. A single layman, through service to and sacrifice for family, friends, employees, and co-workers. A married layman adds to this respect and sacrifice for his spouse and children. A monk seeks stability by remaining in one monastery. A single layman, by remaining in one dwelling-place and job as far as possible. A married layman adds to this remaining stable in one marriage.

Purity, non-possessiveness, obedience, and stability aid us in the Christ-like life of love for God and others. One of the Desert Fathers, St. John the Short, likened the spiritual life to building a house. We cannot build the roof unless we start with the foundation. The foundation is love for others. The roof is love for God. He is simply depicting what his patron, St. John the Theologian, stated: “He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20). 

How can one practice such love through purity, non-possessiveness, obedience, and stability? St. Abba Dorotheus of Gaza counsels us to slowly and methodically focus our daily efforts on building our spiritual house. Every moment, occurrence, and encounter is an opportunity to lay down a “brick” of one of the virtues. Bricks are laid down one-by-one. The walls take time. What does this mean practically?

You are tempted by lustful fantasies of fornication or adultery. Yet, you strive to cut them off by calling out to Christ—you have laid down a brick of purity. You are discontented by and envious of the possessions, accomplishments, talents, or honors of another. You strive to turn your gaze back to all the blessings God has given you with thankful contentment—you have laid down a brick of non-possessiveness. Someone comes rushing towards you, begging you to help them. You may not have the time or energy, but with a prayer for strength you help them anyway—you have laid down a brick of sacrificial and loving obedience. Difficulties and afflictions confront you at work or in your relationships, urging you to run away, fight, quit, or despair. You cling to Christ with faith, beg His help, and strive to persevere—you have laid down a brick of stability.

Growth in purity of heart helps us to love others as spiritual beings, and to “see God” (Matthew 5:8) ever more clearly as He is, that we might love Him ever more fully as we ought. Growth in poverty of spirit (Matthew 5:3) helps us to love others as sharers of our common human nature called to the same Kingdom of heaven, and to love God by seeking greater communion in the life of peace and joy in His Holy Spirit, of which His Kingdom consists (Romans 14:17). Growth in humble self-sacrificing obedience helps us to lay down our lives for others in love—fulfilling the greatest commandment of Christ (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16)—and to love God more fully by laying down our lives in submission to His all-knowing wisdom, all-loving providence, and all-good will which guide us daily. Growth in stability helps us to love others by deepening our commitment to them despite the difficulties and costs, and to love God for Who He is and not just for what He gives us, as He taught the long-suffering Job.

Such moment-by-moment struggles, efforts, victories, setbacks, repentance, and growth may not seem like much. We may seek something more heroic or glorious. But the Saints of our Church—the spiritual heroes glorified by God, Who rewards every struggle no matter how seemingly small—became such through seemingly inconsequential efforts, thankless tasks, and unseen struggles. Everyone who exercises physically has learned that strength cannot be achieved without soreness caused by stretching ourselves a little, nor can muscles be built up without the preceding micro-tears. So it is in our spiritual life. St. Paul explains: “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). This he states before praising the active and living faith of the “great Cloud of Witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). In every joy and sorrow, in every comfort and trial, in every respite and struggle, let us keep in mind that God is gazing upon us steadfastly, that we and all the world reside in the hand of His providence, that He uses every circumstance for our spiritual growth and salvation, that He cares for us far more than we care for ourselves, and that there is no deed, word, thought, or feeling lost with Him as something insignificant. If we constantly walk before God like this, seeking to dedicate our every breath and entire life to pleasing Him and serving others, we will constantly grow together in Him in eternal communion; ever partaking, little-by-little, more and more, of His uncreated life of love, joy, and peace.